The dark skinned boy felt tense, yet calm. As a Jedi to be, he never let his emotions take over him, for doing so was the path to the dark side and he had seen what Sith Lords became: empty shells lusting for more power and fearing to lose it all. The dark side led to torment and fulfillment became impossible. The academy made sure to keep their students off this dark path and the boy had made sure to follow their teachings as well as he could. It seemed his teachers were satisfied with him too and he had quickly increased in rank within the other students. At the young age of 12, he was already nominated to become a padawan, trained by one of the Jedi Council itself, an unlikely honor for a boy his age.

The elevator stopped and he waited for his teachers to lead the way as he had been taught. But none of the two moved. The air remained still as he wondered what was happening, losing his concentration over keeping his anxiety in check for one brief moment, then getting it back under control the moment after.

“We will not be following you, young one,” one teacher finally said, a Rodian. “Where you are going, you will be going alone, though our spirits as those of the entire academy will follow you wherever you go. Be worthy of the honor that has been bestowed to you and may the force be with you.”

The child, only a few months from being a teenager, took a step out of the elevator, then another. He stood still for a moment, then turned to thank his teachers, but the door was already closing. Resolute, he turned back to the hallway and slowly advanced, trying as he could to keep his emotions under control and observing the decorations.

A lot of thought had been put into making the corridor majestic. Many statues in the honor of fallen Jedi’s had been erected, displaying a great array of species that could be found across the galaxy. On each pedestal, their name and a small list of their deeds could be found, but he didn’t need to read the descriptions as history was one of the disciplines taught at the academy and the boy could easily name any of the Jedis on display here. Unconsciously, he bowed before all of them, feeling a bit unworthy to be among some of the greatest legends of the academy.

The Jedi student made his way to the massive wood doors at the end of the corridors, a rare material on Coruscant. And then he waited. The student knew that he didn’t need to knock, as he knew the Jedi Masters were already well aware of his presence. And once they would be ready for him, he would know.

The wait was not long; not even a minute after he had gotten to the doors, they slowly opened, revealing the council chamber to him. Not able to fully contain his nervousness, he entered the chamber, ready to receive judgement.

“Speak, ” a human Jedi to his left said. He seemed very interested in the person before him, all of the Jedis seemed to be and it was a bit unsettling for the young one. He took a moment to compose himself before speaking.

“I am Mace Windu, student at the Jedi Academy and sent here for their wishes to be evaluated.”

“So, this is the miracle child then,” a human Jedi said, fascinated. “And he presents himself with no title, unlike many of his peers who try to impress. Your teachers speak very highly of you. Do you think it is well deserved?”

“I do not seek praise. I merely follow the teachings of the force to the best of my abilities. If my teachers are satisfied with the results, then I am as well.” It was only a half truth, as the student knew he was good and couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride of that fact, especially since his midichlorian level was not as high as many other students at the academy.

“Do you believe you are fit to become a padawan? That you have the skills needed to become an apprentice to one of us and train to become a Jedi master?”

“I am young, it is true. Some might say too young to become a padawan. I know it is not an easy task and I also know it is a great honor to be assigned as an apprentice at my age. However, I will not back down from such a task.

“Are you afraid?”

“Fear has no place for one who wields the force,” Mace replied with a certain casualty. “I am determined to show my worth to this council, if so is their desire.”

“The desire of this council, it is.” Master Yoda, the most respected member of the chamber, had spoken. “Pure your heart is, and noble your intentions. The council has decided to adopt you as a padawan. You may now select who you wish to take you as an apprentice.”

Mace was unaware that he would have this choice to make and for a moment thought about his answer. “With your permission, I ask for master Peau’Tu to train me,” he said, pronouncing the name “Pei-Ah-Oh-Tu”. It left the council members a bit surprised of the decision.

“Why choose me,” the Bothan asked. “New padawans faced with this choice usually ask for Master Yoda to train them. But his training is a harsh one indeed. Is it fear that stops you?”

“I fear not Master Yoda’s training, Master Peau’Tu. However, I do not feel that I deserve to be trained by Master Yoda. I believe his training could profit a better student then me.”

“Modest you are, young Windu. Few padawans have your modesty. Your choice, I will not respect. Your skill is great and I will train you. It is the will of this council.”

As the words were spoken, the other Jedis nodded in agreement. The young Mace Windu should receive the best training possible as he had that potential. The newly instated padawan was proud to be given Master Yoda as his master and in truth, it had been his desire all along. He couldn’t prevent a genuine smile to cross his lips and Yoda smiled back.

“We shall leave master and apprentice together for the private inauguration ceremony,” a Jedi master speaking through a holographic projection said. The others nodded and started to leave, some nodding their approbation to Windu.

They closed the door behind them and then only remained in the chamber Mace Windu and his new master. Yoda lost no time and immediately got off his chair, using his cane to walk. “To somewhere more private and adequate, we will go.” Using the force, Yoda moved the chair in the middle of the room, revealing a passageway under it. Few Jedis had actually seen the passageway and only three of the current council members had knowledge of it and used it. The others had secret places of their own in it’s stead.